Kernels fall 7-4 in slugfest

CLINTON, Iowa - Cedar Rapids dropped its third straight contest after falling to the Clinton LumberKings, 7-4, on Saturday evening. Every Cedar Rapids hitter reached base except one.

Clinton (26-42) scored four runs in the bottom of the first to take an early 4-0 lead over the Kernels. Back-to-back singles by Arby Fields and Martin Peguero gave the LumberKings runners on first and second. Chantz Mack was then hit by a pitch, loading the bases for Clinton. Estarlyn Morales put the LumberKings up 1-0 with an RBI single to left, scoring Fields. Taylor Zeutenhorst extended the Clinton lead to 2-0 with an RBI single to right, plating Peguero. Back-to-back sacrifice flies by Joe DeCarlo and Kristian Brito made it 4-0 in favor of the LumberKings.

The LumberKings extended their lead to 6-0 with a pair of runs in the bottom of the third. DeCarlo got the inning started with a two-out double to left-center. Brito followed with an RBI single to right, scoring DeCarlo from second. Brito moved in to second on a Kernels fielding error. James Alfonso followed Brito with an RBI single to center, scoring Brito.

Clinton added another in bottom of the fourth, going in front of the Kernels, 7-0. Mack started the inning with a two out walk and came around to score on a Morales RBI triple.

Cedar Rapids (40-29) got on the board with a run in the top of the sixth. Nick Gordon led off the frame with a hustle double to center and moved in to third on a Clinton throwing error. Edgar Corcino followed Gordon with a sacrifice fly to left, scoring Gordon from third.

Max Murphy cut the Clinton lead to 7-2 with a solo home run to left field to lead off the seventh. The homer for Murphy was his third of the year and his 25th RBI.

Cedar Rapids added two more in the top of the ninth. T.J. White led off the inning with a double down the right field line before Brian Navarreto brought him in on an RBI single to left. Pat Kelly followed Navarreto with an infield single. A Clinton throwing error allowed Navarreto to move in to third. Tanner English brought in Navarreto for the final run of the night with an RBI groundout.

Brian Navarreto led the Kernels offensively with three hits. The catcher finished 3-for-4 on the night with three single, an RBI and a run scored.

Sam Gibbons (1-2) suffered the loss for Cedar Rapids. The right-hander allowed seven runs (six earned) on eight hits and two walks while striking out three in four innings.

Miles Nordgren tossed three scoreless innings of relief. The right-hander yielded just five walks and struck out three. Michael Theofanopoulos allowed one hit and struck out a pair in a scoreless bottom of the eighth.

Tyler Herb (3-4) earned the win for Clinton. The right-hander allowed one unearned run on four hits and two walks while striking out five in six innings.

The Kernels conclude the first half of the Midwest League season tomorrow. First pitch in the finale of the three-game series is at 2:00 p.m. from Ashford University Field. Midwest League All-Star RHP Jared Wilson (5-2, 3.71) gets the start for Cedar Rapids on Sunday afternoon while RHP Jeffeson Medina (2-6, 4.23) counters for Clinton.  

Tickets are available online at www.kernels.com. You can also visit the Kernels Ticket Office at Veterans Memorial Stadium or call 319-896-7560. Morgan Hawk brings you the action of all Kernels games live on KMRY Radio (93.1 FM/1450 AM) and online at www.kernels.com.